Police: Man tried to lure girl twice outside Waukegan school

Michael Johnson, 52, of the 1600 block of 17th Street in North Chicago.

Michael Johnson, 52, of the 1600 block of 17th Street in North Chicago. (Waukegan police)

Staff report

A North Chicago man is facing child abduction charges after police said he followed and talked to an 11-year-old girl as she walked home from school on two days in November.

On Nov. 19 Waukegan school officials contacted police and said the girl had been approached twice the week before: on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

The girl said the first time the man, tried to talk to her in the parking lot of the school, and the next day followed her as she walked home and again tried to ask her questions, according to a police news release.

The girl, a middle school student, ignored the man and walked away, and later provided authorities with his description and the license plate of his vehicle.

Waukegan detectives investigating the case determined the owner of the vehicle is Michael Johnson, 52, of the 1600 block of 17th Street in North Chicago, and during an interview with him today Johnson admitted his involvement, police said.

Johnson has been charged with child abduction, a Class 4 felony, police said, pointing out that the charge applies whether or not the child actually was lured into the vehicle or not.

"This child did everything right in removing herself from the dangerous situation, getting the license plate of the car and giving us a good description," Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said in the release. "Anyone who believes this man has contacted their children is urged to contact this department immediately."